Is "Glazed Blush" the Answer to Brightening Dull Winter Skin?

Some beauty trends just seem to keep on giving. We've had the viral glazed skin and, of course, glazed-doughnut nails, courtesy of unofficial Queen of Glaze Hailey Bieber, and now it's time for the sheen to head upwards to the top of our cheeks as glazed blush takes center stage.

"With the glazed trend having already taken over our skin and nail looks in 2023, it's no surprise that we are all now obsessing over how to re-create the trend with our makeup bags," Aimee Connolly, makeup artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee, tells POPSUGAR. "Glazed blush is all about creating an ultra-flushed, luminous finish to lift and brighten the face. Think glossy, balmy, and radiant — and anything but minimal. And the best part? It can work with any shade or skin type."

We started to notice the trend on our social media feeds, with leading makeup artists like Patrick Ta and Pat McGrath showcasing some serious blush looks. The red carpet followed suit with "Saltburn" actor Rosamund Pike, who added a bold blush under her black veil, and "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig opting for a bright, luminous cheek at the 2024 Golden Globes.

Now, as we all make a bid for glowing skin to combat the gray winter, is glazed blush the answer? We speak to experts to get the lowdown on what could soon be the biggest beauty trend of 2024.

Often overlooked when it comes to makeup trends, with most focusing on lips and eyes, there's nothing subtle about glazed blush. It is bright, bold, and finished with a high-impact sheen. At the moment, most of the trend has been centered around pink blush, but there's no reason this can't work for oranges or brown tones, too.

"Glazed blush is moving the trend from all-over shine to targeting the cheeks for a youthful, sculpted glow," says Ruby Hammer MBE, founder of Ruby Hammer Beauty. "This is about capturing the light, and it's far easier to wear than an all-over glaze, which can end up looking greasy rather than glowy."

Makeup artist Melissa Hurkman amped up the ultra-glazed blush for Patrick Ta Beauty, creating the ultimate example of the trend and demonstrating how glazed blush could be the answer to brightening up dull winter skin.

Highlighter is added over the blush color instead of its traditional placement on top. "As makeup artists, we have always known the benefits of blush and highlighting correctly to really make skin pop," says celebrity makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis, who counts Raye and Paloma Faith as her clients. "However, until recently, it took a lot of skill to create this finish without it looking greasy. Thanks to improved textures and products, there are now lots of options available so you can create the look at home."

According to Nguyen-Grealis, this isn't a trend for your fingers. "To avoid it looking messy, build the color up with a brush, focusing on the top of the cheekbones," she says. Using a brush like Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Face Shaping Brush ($34) with a diagonal edge allows you to follow the line of your cheekbone. Then, look to add your highlighter directly on top of the color, making a change from the way you have likely been applying highlighter previously. The key is that the blush catches the light for a more pigmented, brightening effect. "I prefer to use separate products to allow me to build up the shade intensity of the blush," Hammer says. "Afterward, I would add a liquid highlighter that leaves a sheen rather than glitter to create the soft, radiant, glazed finish."

A whole host of products on the market can help you achieve the glazed-blush look, from separate formulas to blush-highlighter hybrid innovations. The key? Practice makes perfect. Whether you're after a subtle glazed blush or looking to make a statement-colored sheen, we've chosen the best glazed-blush products available ahead.